Is Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc (EIN: 160755739)
Verdict: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc appears trustworthy
78/100Mission Score
$13.8MRevenue
$12.8MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in recent years (202208 and 202308), where expenses exceeded revenue by $312,434 and $585,747 respectively.
0% reported officer compensation across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of this size and requires further investigation for transparency.
Strengths
Long-term asset growth, increasing from $6.7M in 2014 to $12.7M in 2023, indicating financial resilience.
Consistent revenue generation, generally staying within the $11M-$14M range over the past decade.
Established operational history with 13 filings, suggesting a mature and stable organization.
Spending Breakdown
How Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc
Is Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc (EIN: 160755739) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 78/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc a good charity to donate to?
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc has a Mission Score of 78/100. Revenue: $13.8M. Assets: $12.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc is 160755739. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc spend its money?
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 160755739 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the $11M-$14M range over the past decade. While the organization experienced a slight deficit in the most recent filing period (202308) with expenses exceeding revenue by approximately $585,747, this follows a similar pattern in 202208. However, the organization showed a significant surplus in 202108, indicating some variability in annual financial performance. The organization's assets have shown growth over the long term, increasing from $6.7M in 2014 to $12.7M in 2023, suggesting a stable financial foundation despite recent operational deficits.
Spending efficiency appears to be a focus, though specific program, administrative, and fundraising breakdowns are not provided in the summary data. The consistent operational scale suggests a mature organization with established spending patterns. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data for all periods is notable and could indicate either that compensation is reported differently or that key leadership roles are compensated through other means, which warrants further investigation for full transparency.
Overall, the organization appears financially stable with a long history of operations. While recent deficits are a point to monitor, the overall asset growth and consistent revenue streams suggest resilience. Further transparency regarding the allocation of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories would provide a clearer picture of spending efficiency.